What we know about the Michigan church shooting and fire that killed 4 people

Reuters

Shooter kills two, wounds eight at Mormon church in Michigan

At least four people died and eight others were wounded, one of them in critical condition as of Sunday evening, after a gunman rammed a pickup into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., during a Sunday service, opened fire and set the chapel ablaze.

FOX 2 Detroit

The Associated Press

At least four people died and eight others were wounded, one of them in critical condition as of Sunday evening, after a gunman rammed a pickup into a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Mich., during a Sunday service, opened fire and set the chapel ablaze.

Two victims died in the shooting, while two others were believed to have been trapped in the building and died in flames. Local authorities stated that there may be additional victims related to the fire, as the cleanup of the church has not yet been completed.

Detroit Free Press

The Detroit News

Two victims died in the shooting, while two others were believed to have been trapped in the building and died in flames. Local authorities stated that there may be additional victims related to the fire, as the cleanup of the church has not yet been completed.

Police identified the lone suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2008, according to U.S. military records and his mother's Facebook account.

New York Post

Police identified the lone suspect as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, a former U.S. Marine who served in Iraq from 2004 to 2008, according to U.S. military records and his mother's Facebook account.

Two officers, one from Grand Blanc Township police and another from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, responded to the scene within 30 seconds of the first 911 call and neutralized the suspect.

BBC News

Mlive

Two officers, one from Grand Blanc Township police and another from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, responded to the scene within 30 seconds of the first 911 call and neutralized the suspect.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman said in a press conference on Sunday that the bureau has taken over the shooting investigation, adding that the incident is being investigated as an "act of targeted violence."

FBI Special Agent in Charge Reuben Coleman said in a press conference on Sunday that the bureau has taken over the shooting investigation, adding that the incident is being investigated as an "act of targeted violence."

According to the local police chief, hundreds of worshippers were inside the church in the town, which is home to approximately 40,000 people. Grand Blanc is located outside Flint, 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Detroit.

According to the local police chief, hundreds of worshippers were inside the church in the town, which is home to approximately 40,000 people. Grand Blanc is located outside Flint, 60 miles (100 km) northwest of Detroit.

NBC #1

Reuters #0

FOX 2 Detroit #

The Associated Press #

Detroit Free Press #

The Detroit News #

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New York Post #

BBC News #

Mlive #

This tragic attack is the latest example of the global epidemic of persecution against Christians. It's time for church leaders to recognize that they must assume responsibility for the security of worshippers and adapt to this new reality, as America has yet to fully grasp the evolving threat.

This tragic attack is the latest example of the global epidemic of persecution against Christians. It's time for church leaders to recognize that they must assume responsibility for the security of worshippers and adapt to this new reality, as America has yet to fully grasp the evolving threat.

Newsmax

Newsmax #

Pastor Miles to Newsmax: Church Leaders Must Bolster Security

Far-right conspiracy theorists are exploiting the shooting to spread baseless allegations that this tragic incident was part of a hate attack against Christians. Despite zero evidence about the shooter's motives, they are promoting dangerous claims that only fuel division and hatred across America.

Far-right conspiracy theorists are exploiting the shooting to spread baseless allegations that this tragic incident was part of a hate attack against Christians. Despite zero evidence about the shooter's motives, they are promoting dangerous claims that only fuel division and hatred across America.

At Least 4 Dead in Attack at Michigan Mormon Church

At Least 4 Dead in Attack at Michigan Mormon Church

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At Least 4 Dead in Attack at Michigan Mormon Church

At Least 4 Dead in Attack at Michigan Mormon Church

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